Son in the Sky

Prologue "Come on, Chase! We have to get you home so I can get to MawMaw's new house before it rains." Mary hurried to put one last box in the car. She hoped she could get Chase in his car seat, what with all her belongings loaded around it. How does one accumulate so much stuff, she wondered idly. Two year old Chase came running to the car. He was tall for his age and ran quite well for only being two. His curly brown hair bobbed and his ever-present smile brightened his whole face. "I'm so lucky you're a good boy," she said as she picked him up. She hadn't been sure watching her grandson full-time was a good idea, but Chase had been pure joy. She managed to buckle him in and shut the door. "I can't see, MawMaw," Chase called from the back. "I know baby, it's only for a little bit." "We go MawMaw's new house?" Chase asked. “No baby, you're going home to daddy. MawMaw is moving into her new house today," she answered. She had waited so long for the house of her dreams. Mary thought back on the years in her duplex. She'd never complained, but she hated that house. And now she was moving into a single family home, in a beautiful little neighborhood. Mary was driving on Highway N toward her new subdivision, Briarwood. It was a beautiful, if chilly, December day. She thought she'd never been happier. Chase had fallen asleep in the back seat. Good music was on the radio. As she rounded a curve, the sun crossed her face and hit her right in the eyes. In that instant, Mary felt pain shoot through her head. She didn't know what was happening. She couldn't move! Suddenly, it was as if everything was happening in slow motion. She watched, horrified, as her car started to leave the road. And then, black. Mary awoke to a feeling of cold on her legs. The car was in a lake and was filling with water. She panicked. I've got to get out of here, she thought. She pushed the window button and it opened. It dawned on her that the car must be still running. She pushed the gas pedal but nothing happened. She fumbled for the keys, but dropped them in the murky water. I've got to get out of here, she thought again. Water was slowly filling the car. Mary unhooked her seatbelt and started to climb out the window. And froze. Where did she think she was going? I can't swim, she thought. She looked to the shore and saw two cars pulled over. "Help! I can't swim," she called. "Help is on the way," yelled a man from shore. She was so disoriented. How had she gotten here? She couldn't remember anything. She heard sirens and felt a little better. The water was so cold, she wasn't sure how much more she could take. The arrival of rescuers did little to calm Mary. When she saw them coming toward her in a small boat she panicked again. "I'll never be able to get in there. I'll tip it over. Oh God, oh God. Help me." The water rescue squad got to her and immediately assessed the situation. Their first question brought her to a sobering reality. "Are you alone in the car?"